Healthy You: Power Foods

Everyone thinks of food differently. Some see it as fuel, some see it as a way to lose weight, others think of how great it tastes, ect. I see food as a way to love your body. I once had a teacher who said “If I could have one thing it would be everlasting health, because health is the one thing you can’t get back”.

Even at 15 this really struck a chord with me because when it comes to health it’s all about preparation. A lot of times you don’t realize your health isn’t great until some symptom alerts you to something wrong. But why wait for something to go wrong to fix things when you could help prevent them all along? What would your future self want you to do?

Food has nutrition. It can provide antioxidants to ward off disease and inflammation, vitamins to prevent illness, minerals to keep things strong. The list goes on and on.

Try these super foods & chose health!

Walnuts.
These “little brains” have been shown to help keep you mentally sharp. They also contain healthy fat that keeps you full longer & helps stabilize blood sugar levels which can lead to weight loss & reduced risk of diabetes. They contain rare antioxidants that help fight off free radicals and have been shown to help reduce risk for cancer. Guys also get the added benefit of improved reproductive health.

Spinach.
There’s a reason Pop-Eye was always downing spinach: it’s a great source of vitamin A, B2, C, and K, it also contains folate, iron, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Multiple studies have shown spinach’s high antioxidant levels help reduce cancer risk. It also has compounds called thylakoids which make your body feel satiated and full… so to avoid feeling hungry post-salad make sure you get one with spinach instead of lettuce.

Apples.
Apples are high in fiber, especially a fiber called pectin which helps control satisfaction (studies have shown eating one 15 minutes before lunch can reduce calorie consumption by 200 calories). They have also been said to help with early dementia and alzheimer’s risk, ward off breast cancer, and reduce chances of diabetes, stroke, and bad cholesterol.

Eggs.
Eggs are chock full of nutrients with high levels of A, B5, B12, folate, phosphorus, and selenium, and are only around 75 calories. They help raise “good” cholesterol, and lower “bad” cholesterol, and help reduce stroke risks. They are also awesome for your eyes since they contain powerful antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Lastly, they contain a ton of protein to keep you full way longer than a bagel would.

Raspberries.
Raspberries are high in fiber and low in sugar making them a great snack or dessert to aid in detox. They’ve also been said to aid in reduced risk of diabetes, cancer, and obesity due to blood sugar stabilizing factors and high antioxidant levels. They’re good for your eyes, and your heart.